Support in Alaska (2026)

The Permanent Fund Dividend and Child Support

One of the most distinctive aspects of Alaska’s child support system is its treatment of the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). Alaska is the only state that distributes an annual dividend to residents from investment earnings on the state’s oil wealth. Under Civil Rule 90.3, the PFD is included in the definition of gross income for child support calculations. This means that a parent’s PFD — typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per year — increases their calculated income and can affect the support amount.

Additionally, the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) may garnish a parent’s PFD to satisfy child support arrearages. This makes the PFD both a factor in calculating support and an enforcement tool for collecting unpaid obligations — a mechanism that exists only in Alaska.

How Alaska Calculates Child Support

Alaska determines child support obligations under Civil Rule 90.3, which uses a percentage-of-income formula. The calculation begins with the non-custodial parent’s adjusted annual income. Gross income includes earnings from all sources — wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, dividends, interest, rental income, Permanent Fund Dividends, Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation, and other recurring income.

Deductions are applied for federal and state income taxes, FICA taxes, mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, child support for prior children, and the cost of health insurance for the child. The resulting adjusted income is then multiplied by a percentage based on the number of children: 20% for one child, 27% for two children, and 33% for three children, with additional percentages for more children.

For a broader overview of how support calculations work, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also estimate your potential obligation using our child support calculator.

Adjustments for Shared Custody

When the non-custodial parent has the child for more than 30% of overnights in a year (approximately 110 nights), Rule 90.3 provides a shared custody adjustment. Under this formula, each parent’s theoretical support obligation is calculated, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the net difference to the other parent. This adjustment recognizes that both households incur direct child-related expenses during their respective periods of care.

The 30% threshold is significant because it determines whether the standard formula or the shared custody formula applies. Parents who are close to the 30% threshold should understand that small changes in the overnight schedule can meaningfully affect the support calculation.

Deviation from Guidelines

The Rule 90.3 amount is presumptively correct, but the court may deviate if the calculated amount is manifestly unjust. Recognized deviation factors include:

• Especially large prior support obligations for other children
• Unusually high or low income of the obligor or obligee
• The prior earning history of a parent who is voluntarily and unreasonably unemployed or underemployed
• The child’s health or educational needs
• The extent to which the custodial parent’s income is affected by the obligation to care for the child
• Tax consequences
• Shared custody arrangements
• Other relevant circumstances

When the court deviates from the guidelines, it must state the Rule 90.3 amount and provide specific findings explaining why that amount is manifestly unjust.

Duration of Child Support

Child support in Alaska generally continues until the child reaches age 18, or until the child turns 19 if still attending high school. Support may also terminate upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service. Alaska does not generally require parents to fund post-secondary education, though the parties may agree to such provisions in their divorce settlement.

Alimony (Spousal Maintenance) in Alaska

Alaska courts may award spousal maintenance under AS 25.24.160. The court considers the financial circumstances of each party and the overall equities of the situation. Alaska recognizes several types of maintenance:

• Temporary maintenance — Supports a spouse during the pendency of the divorce proceedings.
• Rehabilitative maintenance — Provides support for a defined period to allow the recipient to obtain education, training, or employment necessary to become self-supporting.
• Reorientation maintenance — A short-term award to help a spouse adjust to post-divorce financial circumstances.
• Permanent (long-term) maintenance — Awarded in longer marriages or when the recipient spouse is unable to become self-supporting due to age, health, or other factors.
• Transitional maintenance — Bridges the gap between the marital standard of living and the anticipated post-divorce financial reality.

The court weighs the length of the marriage, the age and health of each party, the earning capacity and financial condition of each spouse, the conduct of the parties, the property division, the standard of living during the marriage, and the time and expense needed for the recipient to become self-supporting.

The 15% Modification Threshold

Alaska has a specific threshold for determining when a material change of circumstances exists for support modification purposes. Under Civil Rule 90.3(h), a change that results in a 15% or greater difference between the existing support amount and the amount that would be calculated under current circumstances creates a rebuttable presumption that a material change has occurred. This provides a concrete benchmark — unlike many states where “material change” is entirely subjective.

Common grounds for modification include significant changes in income, changes in custody arrangements, changes in the child’s needs, or changes in employment circumstances. Spousal maintenance modification is governed by the same material change standard. Maintenance typically terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient.

Enforcement

Alaska employs a comprehensive set of enforcement mechanisms through the Child Support Services Division (CSSD):

• Income withholding (wage garnishment)
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Garnishment of Permanent Fund Dividends
• Suspension of driver’s, professional, hunting, and fishing licenses
• Contempt of court, which may result in fines or incarceration
• Liens on real and personal property
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500
• Credit bureau reporting

The PFD garnishment is particularly effective in Alaska because nearly all residents receive the annual dividend, making it a reliable source for intercepting arrearages.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Alaska’s child support calculation under Rule 90.3 and the spousal maintenance framework require careful financial analysis. Whether you are establishing a new support order, seeking a modification, or dealing with enforcement issues, consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Alaska?

Alaska uses a percentage of income model under Civil Rule 90.3. The non-custodial parent’s adjusted annual income is multiplied by a set percentage based on the number of children: 20% for one child, 27% for two children, and 33% for three children. Gross income includes wages, self-employment income, Permanent Fund Dividends, and all other recurring income, with deductions for taxes, mandatory retirement, and prior child support obligations.

How long does child support last in Alaska?

Child support in Alaska generally continues until the child reaches age 18, or until age 19 if the child is still attending high school. Support also terminates upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service. Alaska does not generally require parents to fund post-secondary education.

How does shared custody affect child support in Alaska?

When the non-custodial parent has the child for more than 30% of overnights (approximately 110 nights per year), Rule 90.3 provides a shared custody adjustment. Each parent’s theoretical support obligation is calculated, and the parent with the higher obligation pays the net difference to the other parent.

What qualifies as a material change for modifying support in Alaska?

Under Civil Rule 90.3(h), a change that results in a 15% or greater difference between the existing support amount and the amount that would be calculated under current circumstances creates a rebuttable presumption that a material change has occurred. Common grounds include significant changes in income, custody arrangements, or the child’s needs.

How does the Permanent Fund Dividend affect child support?

The PFD is included in gross income for child support calculations under Rule 90.3, which means it increases the calculated support amount. Additionally, the Child Support Services Division (CSSD) may garnish a parent’s PFD to satisfy child support arrearages — making it both a calculation factor and an enforcement tool unique to Alaska.

Can child support arrearages be collected from hunting and fishing licenses?

Alaska’s enforcement tools include the suspension of hunting and fishing licenses — in addition to driver’s and professional licenses — for parents who are delinquent on child support. In a state where subsistence hunting and fishing are culturally and economically significant, this enforcement mechanism can be particularly impactful.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was developed through a detailed analysis of Alaska Civil Rule 90.3, including the percentage-of-income formula, shared custody adjustment provisions, deviation criteria, and the 15% modification threshold. Spousal maintenance provisions were reviewed under AS 25.24.160 through 25.24.170. Enforcement mechanisms were verified through the Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD) publications and AS 25.27. Additional sources included the Alaska Court System’s Rule 90.3 commentary, Alaska Supreme Court decisions on the “manifestly unjust” deviation standard, and the Alaska Bar Association’s family law section resources on PFD garnishment and shared custody calculations.

Sources and Legal References

• Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 — Child support guidelines, percentage-of-income formula, shared custody adjustment, deviation criteria, and 15% modification threshold
• AS 25.24.160 through 25.24.170 — Spousal maintenance (alimony) provisions
• AS 25.27 — Child Support Services Division (CSSD) enforcement authority
• AS 34.77 — Opt-in community property provisions (relevant to maintenance calculations)
• Alaska Court System Rule 90.3 commentary and guidelines schedule
• Alaska CSSD publications on PFD garnishment and enforcement tools

Official Alaska Resources

• Alaska Court System – Family Law Self-Help Center
• Alaska Family Law Forms

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

• Child custody in Alaska — Shared custody presumption, mediation, and best interests factors
• Divorce in Alaska — No-residency-duration requirement and the opt-in community property option
• How child support is calculated — National overview of child support models
• Modifying child support — When and how to request a support change
• Child support enforcement — Tools and remedies for collecting unpaid support
• How alimony works — Types, duration, and modification across states
• Child support by state — Compare support frameworks across all 50 states